Chapter 334

Time flowed like a river.

It was a common and worn-out metaphor, but the three days I spent aboard the fast ship had been exactly that.

Thanks to this ship, we cut down our travel time by quite a bit.

True to the name Yangtze River Channel League, Mu Song and the river bandits of Water Dragon Stronghold were all outstanding sailors. They knew the lower reaches of the Yangtze, which ran throughout Sichuan, as well as the palms of their hands.

“We’ll be there soon, Old Master.”

I stared at Jeok Cheongang’s wrinkled face and murmured.

Only a few weeks had passed, but his already small and thin body was gradually weakening.

I realized it every time I used True Qi Guidance to bolster his qi, just as I had today.

Recovery is impossible. For now, slowing it down is the best I can do.

The only reason he could endure like this was that he was a Supreme Peak master with profound internal energy.

And… our only hope was one person whose medical skills had reached the realm of the gods.

The Divine Physician.

A mysterious figure whose face, name, age, and even gender were unknown.

The Divine Physician first became known more than forty years ago, though, so I figured they had to be over sixty.

I’ll find the Divine Physician no matter what… and wake you up.

So please wait just a little longer.

Just as I added those words in a voice too quiet for anyone to hear, light footsteps approached. A murmured conversation drifted through the gap in the cabin door.

“Stop. Stop. Stop. Move, and I’ll cut you.”

“Gasp! Please don’t cut me! You know who I am.”

“I do. But I won’t let even one rat past me. That includes some youngster who rolled in from who knows where. You could be an assassin, for all I know.”

“An assassin? I’m a medical apprentice! What an outrageous thing to say!”

“Then what brings you here?”

“G-Great Hero Mu Song asked me to deliver a message.”

“Impossible. Unless you can get past Hyuk Mujin, the Vice Squad Leader of the Jin Dragon Squad of the great Jin Family of Taiyuan, no one can—!”

Bang! Thud!

Mungyeong’s jaw dropped at the sight of the Vice Squad Leader of the Jin Dragon Squad of the great Jin Family of Taiyuan collapsing after hitting his head on the corner of the door.

“He’s dead.”

“He’s not dead.”

“B-But a blow like that must have caused serious damage to his head…”

“Enough. What did Senior Mu Song tell you to say?”

The boy looked back and forth between Hyuk Mujin and me with a terrified expression before answering.

“H-He said you’re almost there, so you should get ready.”

“Oh, is that right? Fine. Gather your things, too.”

“I’m already finished.”

Mungyeong’s belongings were sparse.

He pulled acupuncture and moxibustion supplies from the small bundle he had been hugging tightly, checked Hyuk Mujin’s condition, and sighed in relief.

“Fortunately, there aren’t any tears.”

“That’s because his head’s made of rock.”

“As expected of martial artists…”

“Oh? Getting cheeky, are we?”

“Gasp! I misspoke!”

I made a gesture as though I were about to rap him on the head, and Mungyeong flinched.

A quiet laugh escaped me.

“I’m kidding, you idiot.”

“You startled me.”

Traveling aboard a fast ship that moved day and night was surprisingly exhausting.

Whenever I had finished circulating my internal energy and thinking through martial arts, I wandered around the deck to get some fresh air. Every time I did, I saw Mungyeong.

He was always checking on everyone else’s condition.

He was a good kid. He also seemed quite skilled, because even the river bandits who had been skeptical at first often approached him shyly to receive treatment.

After talking with him a few times, he seems cheerful, too.

Contrary to his mature first impression, Mungyeong had a lively, boyish side.

After hearing about our identities from someone, he seemed to have become interested in the Murim and began asking all sorts of questions.

“Young Master Jin, you’re the Disciple of Great Hero Jeok Cheongang, the Fire King? Wow!”

“I’ve heard plenty about Great Hero Mae Jonghak, the Sword Saint. Young Master Cheong must be incredible, too.”

“Wow! The Beggars’ Sect! The Successor Beggar!”

“You’re the Vice Squad Leader of the Jin Dragon Squad? Ah, yes…”

In any case, Mungyeong had naturally blended into our group over the short span of three days.

Once we reach Chengdu, this will probably be the last time we sit across from each other and talk.

Our paths would naturally separate once we arrived.

I grabbed Mungyeong by the shoulder as he stood on tiptoe and peeked over mine.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“What are you so curious about that you’re craning your neck like that?”

“Nothing. I just thought I saw someone’s foot through the gap in the door.”

The boy had a sharp eye. I had hurriedly covered the exposed part with leather, but he had somehow managed to see it.

Still, I answered casually without showing any sign of panic.

“You imagined it.”

“I don’t think I did…”

“Mungyeong.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really want to see what’s inside?”

At my ominous tone, he swallowed hard and began backing away.

“W-Why are you acting like this?”

“I asked you a question. Do you want to see it?”

“No. No, I don’t want to.”

“Why not? Come inside and take a look. It’ll be fun.”

“Eek!”

Thump! Bang!

Mungyeong backed away, stepped on Hyuk Mujin, and fell over before scrambling to his feet and fleeing.

Hyuk Mujin, whose back had been stepped on in the confusion, opened his eyes.

“H-Huh? I was just talking to Mungyeong.”

His bewildered face hardened with shock as he looked around.

“I didn’t even see him launch his attack. He must be an assassin who has reached the Peak realm!”

Smack!

“Argh! Why did you hit me?”

“Stop talking nonsense and gather your things. We’re almost there.”

After giving Hyuk Mujin a good whack on the back of the head, I returned to the cabin, moved Jeok Cheongang onto the pack frame, and went out onto the deck.

A giant standing at the stern of the slowing fast ship turned around and called out to me.

“Oh, Junior.”

“Yeah, Senior.”

“…Is it just me, or have your answers gotten shorter?”

“It’s entirely your imagination. My voice is naturally a little quiet.”

Mu Song, the giant, stared at me with a dubious expression before calling over one of his subordinates and giving an order.

“Lower the blue flag and raise the white one.”

“Yes, Stronghold Lord.”

It might sound like some kind of blue-flag, white-flag game, but this was the signal system used by Water Dragon Stronghold. Apparently, it meant that they were sending a message that they would not cause any trouble.

“Forgive me if this is an impertinent question, but are river bandits really allowed to come this close to such a busy area?”

“It is an impertinent question, but I’ll answer it anyway. Yes, we are.”

“How?”

“Can you see it?”

Mu Song pointed toward the pier that was slowly drawing closer.

Tall wooden buildings stood packed tightly together, while commoners passing by either glanced at the fast ship and continued on their way or looked at it with curiosity.

Although we were still far from the center, Chengdu was the capital and central city of Sichuan. Even so, that was the extent of the people’s reaction.

“Well? Doesn’t everyone look accustomed to this?”

“They do. It’s strange how little attention they’re paying us.”

“It wasn’t like this at first. Hwang Tae-gu, that bastard, had done so many things before I came along.”

His teeth ground together as he continued.

“I went through hell trying to change people’s perception of us. Well, at least the authorities turn a blind eye to us to some extent now.”

“The authorities? You mean the officials of the Great Nation?”

“That’s right. To be honest, it must have been uncomfortable for them to deal with us, too. Formally requesting a fleet from the court would have been troublesome, but keeping their guard up every time they encountered us would have exhausted everyone. So we reached a compromise.”

“What kind of compromise?”

“I’m different from Hwang Tae-gu. Only a complete idiot kills powerless commoners every time he gets the chance. It’s like killing our own customers with our own hands.”

“…”

“Of course, that’s because I dislike killing. Not because of money.”

I didn’t find that very convincing.

No matter how I looked at it, the only reason Mu Song didn’t kill people seemed to be money.

What a money-mad river bandit.

I couldn’t deny that Mu Song had a talent for shaking people down.

In any case, unlike Hwang Tae-gu, who robbed and killed indiscriminately, the moderate Mu Song had tried negotiating with the authorities and demonstrated considerable skill in doing so.

“Our range of activity has widened a little, while the authorities have received fewer petitions over people being killed by river bandits. Isn’t that a benefit to both sides?”

“No, even so, they allowed you to come this far?”

“Of course not on the surface. And look. They’re already coming.”

At the end of his gaze was a massive warship equipped with cannons.

When the ships had drawn close enough for even people without martial arts to distinguish one another, a middle-aged man dressed in armor suddenly stuck his head out from the stern.

“Who goes there?”

“General, it’s me! I’m here to put a few people ashore.”

“People? Who are they?”

“My juniors. I’ll vouch for their identities personally.”

A river-bandit chief’s guarantee. Surely that would work beautifully.

The official shouted energetically.

“By all means!”

Fuck, it really works.

Mu Song suddenly pulled something from inside his robe and tossed it with all his strength.

“Catch!”

The official caught the bundle as it came flying in a long arc and grinned.

“You don’t have to do this every time. Thank you. I’ll buy you a proper drink next time.”

“Sure, let’s do that. How is the City Lord?”

“He had a son nine days ago.”

“Oh, what wonderful news. I’ll definitely attend the doljabi.¹”

“Of course. The City Lord will be pleased.”

“Then take care.”

“I wish you martial fortune, Stronghold Lord!”

For fuck’s sake. The country’s in fine shape.

After wrapping up their warm conversation, the warship returned the way it had come, while the fast ship leisurely made its way toward the pier.

“We don’t need to drop anchor, do we?”

“Huh? Oh, no.”

“Are you shocked? That’s just how the world works. In any case, you finally look like a young prodigy your age.”

He wasn’t wrong. Worse things happened in the real world, so why should this be a problem?

I gave Mu Song, who was laughing heartily, a respectful clasped-fist salute.

“Thank you for your help, Senior. We arrived comfortably thanks to you.”

“It was nothing. Don’t call something this minor help. Just say the word. I’m Ship-Fire Boy Mu Song!”

“Ah, as expected of the greatest Senior! You’ve turned the Yangtze upside down!”

“Ha ha ha!”

I grinned along with Mu Song as he laughed loudly.

“Then I’ll have to ask for your help again when we return.”

“…”

“Senior?”

Mu Song stared at me with trembling eyes before opening his mouth.

“I’ll… send my subordinates.”

“Thank you!”

Yangtze taxi. What a steal.

Was it just my imagination, or did the fast ship seem to be moving much faster than usual?

I watched the ship cut urgently through the water as though it were fleeing a sea monster, then turned around.

The Bermuda Triangle and a smiling young medical apprentice were there.

“Thanks to you, we got here quickly. Thank you.”

“You should thank the people who rowed and steered the ship. I don’t know where you’re going or what you intend to do there, but stay healthy.”

Although we had only spent a few days together, I thought it had been a pretty good connection.

He was usually innocent and carefree, but he was deep down. I admired how well he had overcome the pain of losing his parents at such a young age.

I sincerely hoped that he would become a fine physician.

“I don’t have anything to give you as we part, but use this for travel expenses.”

I took out a few silver nyang and placed them in his hands. Mungyeong stared at me in surprise.

“Y-Young Master, this is…”

“It’s fine. Think of it as allowance from your hyung.”

“But this is too much.”

“Then pay me back later. Once you become a physician who can put Hua Tuo—or rather, the Divine Physician—to shame, come find me at the Jin Family of Taiyuan.”

“The Divine Physician…?”

“That’s right. If you’re going to do it, you might as well become the best.”

Mungyeong blinked, looking back and forth between the silver nyang in his hand and me. A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

“Yes. I will.”

“Good. I’m leaving now. Take care.”

The Bermuda Triangle and I turned around after exchanging farewells with Mungyeong.

Hyuk Mujin, who had suffered through prolonged seasickness, quietly came up beside me and spoke.

“Captain. I’m exhausted. Could we rest for half a day before we go?”

“No. We only have to travel for half a day, so rest once we arrive.”

“That’s only half a day if we use a movement technique. And I heard the people of the Sichuan Tang Clan are terrifying… We’ll have to be careful even when we breathe.”

“Then don’t rest. Die.”

“Is that any way to speak to your right-hand man?”

“What? I can’t hear you. Something my left pinky is saying is too quiet.”

Hyuk Mujin’s lips had just jutted out three inches when—

“Um, did you say you were going all the way to the Sichuan Tang Clan?”

“…”

“…”

We slowly turned our heads.

There stood Mungyeong, his eyes sparkling like morning stars.

“The thing is, I happen to be on my way to the Sichuan Tang Clan, too. If I could travel with you, I would never forget this favor even if this body died and died, then died ten thousand times more, until whether my soul existed or not—”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“I get it. Shut up and follow us.”

Fuck. The Bermuda Quadrilateral.